A Celebration of Freedom and Faith

"For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another." — Galatians 5:13

Juneteenth (short for "June 19th") marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to ensure that all enslaved people be freed. This arrived a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

It is a day of restoration, remembrance, and rejoicing. It reminds us that while the "arc of the moral universe is long," it does indeed bend toward justice.

As a community of faith, we believe that spiritual freedom and physical liberation go hand-in-hand. We celebrate Juneteenth to:

• Honor Resilience: We pay tribute to the strength and faith of African Americans who maintained hope through generations of systemic oppression.

• Reflect on Truth: We acknowledge our history with honesty, understanding that the work of reconciliation requires us to look clearly at the past.

• Commit to Action: We renew our promise to love our neighbors by advocating for equity and dignity for all God’s children today.